Why is it that so often we get in our own way? Not believing in ourselves. Making endless excuses for why we can’t. Imposter syndrome. “Who am I to think I can do this?” “What qualifications do I have?” When I feel imposter syndrome creeping in, I think to myself, what if Jane Austen never thought her writing was good enough and therefore never wrote a novel she thought was worth publishing? What if Albert Einstein never shared his theories with the world? They took a leap of faith, bet on themselves, and put their craft into the Universe to see what would happen. And aren’t we grateful they did?
This idea is no different from how you should approach sharing your craft—your genius—with the world. The fact that you have a unique talent or idea means it must be shared or the world may never know it. It was put on your heart and mind for a reason. Think of all the things we know and experience today. Imagine if the owner, the visionary, of that thing decided to never share it with others. What wouldn’t we have? It’s impossible to answer that question because we only know and experience what we know and experience. Or put another way, we don’t know what we don’t know.
Whenever you can feel that seed of doubt starting to take root, ask, “Why not me?”
We all have limiting beliefs, which are lies we tell ourselves that inhibit us from pursuing whatever it is we told ourselves we can’t. “I can’t start my own business; I have no experience.” “I’m not worthy of a promotion.” Limiting beliefs are defense mechanisms. They protect us from disappointment, from stepping into the unknown and failing at some point, from negative criticism from others, and so much more. But the truth is, nothing good can come if we don’t at least take the risk. After all, what if it’s better? What if you put in the work, launched your business into the Universe and it’s a massive success? What if you ask for that promotion and you get it? As the old saying goes, “No risk, no reward.”
We must combat our limiting beliefs and tell a new story. A truth, not a lie. “I have a successful business because I used my abundance of support and resources available to me.” “I got promoted because I’m amazing at my job.” If we can stop lying to ourselves about why we can’t have or go after the things we desire, we would live in abundance, and nothing would stop us from at least trying. It goes without saying that not everything is going to work out, but that’s life and everything happens for a reason. We can manifest our dream lives if we rewrite our limiting beliefs, say (every day) our affirmations for the things we desire, and take inspired action to make our desires a reality. From there, the possibilities are endless.
I’m a writer, and for a long time I didn’t think I could call myself that. “Who am I to call myself a writer among the Jane Austens of the world?” But you know what, I am a writer. I’m proud of myself for putting my content into the world and my only hope is that I positively impact people’s lives with what I have to say. My purpose is to help others find their purpose and manifest their dream lives. I couldn’t be happier than I am today for taking the risk and just doing it. After all, why not me?
It’s time for you to write a new story. Write down all the lies you’ve been telling yourself recently for why you can’t have or pursue the thing you really want. Then, set it on fire (maybe literally, and if so, safely) and give yourself the grace to rewrite your story. You deserve unending happiness and a life that consistently fills up your cup. So, “If not now, when?”
Now, off you go.
